Friday night's Game 3 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 5.21 million viewers on ESPN.

The number is up 10% from the Nuggets-Suns matchup last year and is the fourth most-watched game of the playoffs.

The Nuggets have played in four out of the six most-watched games in the playoffs.

Rob Pelinka is reportedly looking for the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers to have the characteristic of a "grinder," sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

With the Lakers expected to begin contacting coaching candidates in the coming days, James Borrego and JJ Redick are two prominent candidates for the role. 

The Lakers are also expected to interview Heat assistant Chris Quinn.

Mitchell Robinson underwent surgery on his left ankle on Monday, sources told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

It is the second surgery on his ankle this season.

Robinson re-injured his ankle in the first-round series against the Sixers.

He will be re-evaluated in 6-8 weeks. 

Donovan Mitchell has been ruled out by the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics with a left calf strain.

The Cavaliers enter the game trailing the Celtics 2-1 in the series. 

In 10 games this postseason, Mitchell is averaging 29.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Cavaliers. 

OG Anunoby has been ruled out of Game 5 with a hamstring strain.

Anunoby suffered the injury in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and missed Games 3 and 4.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Anunoby is only running in the pool and receiving treatment three times per day currently.

While the Houston Rockets were linked with a trade pursuit of Mikal Bridges back in January, they were also seeking a way to convert some of their future picks into picks that stretch further out into the future.

During that trade discussion, the Rockets offered the Brooklyn Nets their own first round picks back to them in exchange for the picks from the Phoenix Suns.

The Nets declined that scenario as they were pursuing a spot in the playoffs last season.

The Rockets ultimately held onto Brooklyn's pick in the 2024 draft and it moved up in the lottery to No. 3. 

Houston could reach out to other teams with a similar stockpile of picks such as the Utah Jazz or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Rockets traded James Harden to the Nets in 2021 for unprotected first round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026, along with pick swaps in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. Brooklyn subsequently traded Kevin Durant to the Suns in 2023 for first round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029, as well as a pick swap in 2028.

What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

What happened in two snapshots in the NBA Playoffs on Friday, May 10, 2024.

LeBron James has deemphasized the importance of playing alongside his son, Bronny James, both in public comments and the reporting surrounding the situation. Bronny James' draft standing has come into question over the past few months after a cardiac situation last summer and an uneven season at USC.

The Los Angeles Lakers do have interest in adding Bronny James to their roster, but they are not preparing to use their first round pick on him.

"I think if the Lakers have an opportunity to draft Bronny James, they will do so. Whether that's with the 55th pick, or if they make another deal around the draft where they pick up another pick, I think they will try. I don't think it is going to be their top priority. I don't think the league right now is looking at this like if you draft Bronny James and you can get LeBron."